The dark alleyways were filled with shadows, and the night was silent apart from the occasional scuttle of rats. The streets were deserted, as if the city had already gone to sleep.
He padded silently through the shadows, his eyes darting from side to side as he searched for his prey. He had been stalking the same victim for weeks, slowly gathering information and waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.
Finally, his patience was rewarded. His victim was alone, walking down the street with no one to protect her. He followed her for a while, waiting for the perfect moment to act.
When she was in the darkest part of the alley, he pounced. He knocked her to the ground and straddled her, his hands gripping her throat as he began to strangle her. She gasped and struggled, but he was too strong.
After a few minutes, she lay motionless. He stood up and surveyed his work. He had done it. He had taken another life.
The next day, the city awoke to the news of a sadistic murder. Everyone was horrified, and the murderer was never found. But deep down, he knew he had done what he set out to do. He had taken a life, and with it, a part of his soul.